Apparatus for loading pallets

ABSTRACT

In an apparatus for loading pallets comprising a conveyor by which objects are introduced to the loading zone, and a ram for transferring such objects sideways on to a carrier which can be retracted to deposit the objects on to a waiting pallet, the use of a multi-part carrier associated with stop means to allow for size-adjustment and squaring-up at all four sides of an assembly of objects on the carrier.

Unite States Ptent Gabler et al. 5] June 6, 1972 541 APPARATUS FORLOADING PALLETS 2,947,405 8/1960 Fenton ..2l4/6 P x [72] Inventors:Friedrich Gable Arthur Giordan, both of 3,007,585 11/1961 Geisler..2l4/6 H stuttgamMuhlhausen, Germany 3,056,513 10/1962 Von Gac, Jr..2l4/6 H 3,520,422 7/1970 Bruce et al. [73] Assignee: Carl DrohmannGmbl-l, Stuttgart-Bad 3 521 736 7/1970 Von Gac, Jr. at 3.1....

Cannstatt, Germany Filed: J 1970 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Appl.No.: 5,598

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 5, 1969 Germany ..P 19 05714.8

[52] U.S.Cl..... ...2l4/6 DK,2l4/6P [51] Int. Cl. 1 1 B65g 57/26 [58]Field ofScarch ..214/6 K,6P,6l'l,6.5,6M, 214/6 N [56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 2,883,074 4/1959 Boehl et al .2l4/6 P 2,768,75610/1956 Herman 214/6 DK V 1 a 40 44 42 3 42 seioyr T Germany ..214/6 DKGermany ..214/6 DK Primary Examiner-Robert J. Spar Att0rneyCushman,Darby & Cushman [57] ABSTRACT In an apparatus for loading palletscomprising a conveyor by which objects are introduced to the loadingzone, and a ram for transferring such objects sideways on to a carrierwhich can be retracted to deposit the objects on to a waiting pallet,the use of a multi-part carrier associated with stop means to allow forsize-adjustment and squaring-up at all four sides of an assembly ofobjects on the carrier.

3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures APPARATUS FOR LOADING PALLETS BACKGROUND 1.Field of Invention This invention relates to an apparatus for theloading of pallets with objects in a predetermined relative positioning,this apparatus comprising a conveyor track, at least one transverse ramwhich is movable relatively to this conveyor track, a carrier meanswhich is arranged beside the conveyor track and is retractable, and adevice for lifting and lowering the pallets.

2. Description of Prior Art.

An apparatus of this nature which is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No.2,699,264 comprises a conveyor track with stops which are movable incontrolled fashion into the path of travel of objects on this conveyortrack, a ram which is movable transversely over said track, a carriermeans, referred to as a stripper plate, which is arranged as acontinuation of the path of transverse travel of the ram, this carrierplate being retractable beneath a stripper bar, and an elevator devicearranged beneath the carrier plate for lifting pallets to be loaded, andfor lowering the same in stagewise fashion. Objects disposedtransversely or longitudinally are fed on to the conveyor track inselected sequence and are arrested one after another at predeterminedpositions by means of one or more of the stops in such a way that, whererequired, spaces of preselected sizes are produced between the arrestedobjects. These objects are then shifted on to the carrier plate,transversely in relation to the direction of introduction on to theconveyor track, by means of the transverse ram. This procedure isrepeated until a predetermined number of objects rests on the carrierplate. This plate is then pulled away from beneath the stripper bar andthe objects restricted as regards sideways movement by this stripperbar. The objects then drop, in the disposition in which they have beenset, on to a pallet which is presented ready by the elevator device.

Using this apparatus it is not, however, possible also to dispose theobjects at a predetermined spacing from one another in a directiontransversely in relation to the direction of the conveyor track, therebyto cater for a squaring up of the assembly of objects so that the stackhas flush surfaces at all four sides. This squared-up arrangement ishowever desirable because otherwise there will be the danger that whenthe stacks are placed side-by-side and despatched, the objects ofadjacent stacks might hook" into one another. When stacks affected inthis way are subsequently separated from one another, individual objectsmay conceivably be pulled away from their fellows and as a result thestack may possibly collapse.

German Auslegeschrift 1,283,747 discloses an apparatus which is aimed atavoiding this shortcoming. Instead of the carrier plate of US. Pat. No.2,699,264, the apparatus of the German specification provides twocarrier members which come alternately into effective operation and eachof which comprises a number of carrier bars which are attached toconveyor chains. The apparatus further includes two pusher elementswhich alternate with one another to transfer objects on to the carriermembers, and in addition stops above the carrier members at preselecteddistances from one another which can be lowered in controlled fashionand are co-ordinated with a device for lifting and lowering the pallets.The carrier means, which comprises carrier bars, can be driven incontrolled fashion so as to travel in stepwise fashion through distancesof predetermined size.

In this known apparatus the objects delivered on to a first conveyortrack are further conveyed a predetermined distance after beingtransferred on to one of the two altemately-effective carrier members sothat objects subsequently pushed on to this carrier member are spaced bygaps of predetermined size from the first-mentioned objects. Thedepressible stops enter these gaps, whereafter the carrier memberbeneath the objects can be pulled away; these objects then drop on to apallet which is standing ready without varying their relativepositioning.

The technical outlay required for the construction of such an apparatusis comparatively large, particularly where it is to cater for aplurality of patterns of deposited objects.

It is an object of this invention to reduce this cost and to provide anapparatus of the type stated above which is also able to furnish stacksof objects which have flush faces at all sides.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To these ends, in the present invention thecarrier means comprises two relatively-movable parts with workingsurfaces which are uniplanar in the situation which they occupy toreceive the objects, these parts being arranged beneath at least oneassociated stop and being adapted for relative parting movement.

Preferably the two parts of the carrier means are adapted for relativeparting movement in the direction of operation of said transverse ram inshifting objects on to said carrier means.

Advantageously there is one associated stop which is fixedly arranged,whilst means are provided to hold said transverse ram in a pre-selectedposition to constitute a second stop. It is also possible to have thetwo parts of the carrier means relatively movable transversely to thedirection of travel of the transverse ram.

A further preferred feature of the apparatus according to the inventionlies in having the two parts of the carrier member in the form ofplates; these may be of the same length and be disposed symmetrically inrelation to the pallets. In another arrangement the carrier plates maybe of the same length and temporarily disposed non-symmetrically inrelation to the pallets; a further modification of the invention residesin having carrier plates of unequal lengths.

Using the apparatus according to the invention it is possible to stackobjects on pallets without any additional technical outlay, it beingpossible, if desired, to have gaps automatically forming approximatelycentrally of the pallet between the objects when the plates are movedapart. Moreover the time required to transfer the objects to the palletis shorter than when using one carrier plate only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of apparatus accordingto the invention will now be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the apparatus, and

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the embodimentillustrated the apparatus primarily comprises a conveyor track 1, a ram2 which is transversely movable across this conveyor track 1, tworelatively movable carrier plates 3 and 4, a fixed stop 5 above carrierplate 4, and a device 6 for the lifting and controlled lowering ofpallets 7 to be loaded.

The conveyor track 1 is made up of a number of conveyor rollers 8 drivenin known fashion through a gearing in gear case 9 from a conventionaldrive source (not shown). A stop 10 is provided at the end of the pathof travel of objects on the track 1, this being used for arrestingobjects 11 which have been conducted to the conveyor track 1 by a supplydevice 12. This device 12 is of such a nature that objects 11 can betransferred thereby to the conveyor track 1 in a predetermined sequence,longitudinally or transversely orientated.

The transverse ram 2 is mounted on two slides 14, 15 by means of twobolts 13. These slides 14, 15, which may be interconnected by a crosspiece 16, are displaceably mounted in guide rails 17, 18. Further guiderails 19, 20 are provided on slides 14 and 15 and have driving elements21 and 22 reciprocable therein. These elements 21, 22 are connected tochains 23, 24 which are guided by chain wheels 25 so as to transcribe anelongated oval path of travel with straight portions extendinghorizontally and parallel to the first-mentioned guide rails 17, 18. Thechain wheels are arranged in pairs on horizontally disposed shafts 26,27. Shaft 26 is driven through a chain wheel 28, a chain drive 29 and afurther chain wheel 30 with a motor 31 having a built-in brake 32. Motor31 can be started by a known form of control means. This motor 31 andthe operation of brake 32 are in each case controlled by detectors (notshown) which are arranged along the path of displacement of one of theslides 14, 15, such that the relevant chain 23 or 24 is arrested whenthat part of chain 23 or 24 which engages the driving element 21 or 22,is on a reversing curve of the chain concerned, i.e. slides 14, 15 arein an end position. A roller 33 is arranged on the transverse ram 2. Aconductor rail 34 is provided below guide rail 17. A tongue 35 ispivotally mounted at the end of the conductor rail 34 which is nearestthe carrier plates 3, 4, this tongue being gravitybiased downwards.

The two carrier plates 3, 4 are displaceably mounted on further guiderails 36, 37 parallel to the rails 17, 18. Connected to the carrierplates 3, 4 are driving elements 38, 39. Engaged with these elements 38,39 are chains 40 which again are guided by chain wheels 41 so as totranscribe an elongated oval shape of which the straight sections extendparallel to the guide rails 36, 37. The chains 40 are adapted to bedriven in alternate directions in known fashion and to shift the carrierplates 34 alternately towards one another and apart.

A device 6 for the raising and controlled lowering of pallet 7 isarranged beneath the carrier plates 3, 4, as brought together, thisbeing of a known form of construction and working in coordination withthe stop 5.

The apparatus described operates as follows:

When a predetermined number of objects 1 l have been collected inpredetermined orientation on the conveyor track 1, the motor 31 isstarted; slides 14, 15 are moved from one end position transversely inrelation to the conveyor track 1 in the direction of the carrier plates3, 4 and then, after passing through the second end position, arestopped in the first again by means of the brake 32. The transverse ram2, disposed in its lowered position, is moved in over the conveyor track1 and shifts the objects over a support plate 42 on to the adjacentcarrier plate 3. in the course of this action the roller 33 travelsbeneath the conductor rail 34 and the tongue 35, which is temporarilylifted. During the return movement the roller 33 on the transverse ram 2travels along the upper side of tongue 35 and pivots the ram 2 into anupper position. During further travel the roller 33, and with it thetransverse ram 2, is held through the agency of the conductor rail 34 inthe upper position until the ram has passed over conveyor track 1. 1nthe meantime a fresh supply of objects 11 has been deposited inpredetermined disposition on the conveyor track 1. When a predeterminednumber of such objects has been assembled on the trackway these are inturn shifted by the transverse ram 2 to the carrier plates 3, 4 in themanner described above.

This procedure is repeated until the required number of objects 11 aredisposed on the relatively movable carrier plates 3, 4. The ram 2 isthen held for an appropriate period of time in the second end position,which corresponds to a predetermined coordination with the device 6 forlifting pallet 7, and here it acts temporarily as a stop. This positionof ram 2 is shown in full line in the drawings, where the reference Ahas been used to identify it as a stop. The two carrier plates 3, 4 arenow drawn back apart, with the assistance of chains 40, beneath stop 5and the transverse ram 2 which is temporarily acting as stop A. As aresult the objects 11 are first moved in opposite directions against thestops A, 5 so as to define gaps approximately centrally of the pallet 7standing ready. These gaps represent the difference between the sum ofthe dimensions of the objects 11, which have been shifted over, and thedistance between the two stops A, 5,namely the loading area of pallet 7.During further movement apart of carrier plates 3, 4 the objects 11 dropsuccessively on the pallet 7, which has been raised by the liftingmechanism 6, or on to a layer of objects 1 1 which is already present onthe pallets.

The pallet 7 is then lowered an amount corresponding to the height ofthe objects 11, and the carrier plates 3, 4 are moved towards oneanother again so that, after a repetition of the transfer proceduredescribed above, another layer of objects 1 1 can be deposited on thepallet 7; ultimately there is a stack 43 of objects 11 with the sidesthereof, parallel to the stops A, 5, defined by flush surfaces.

The carrier plates 3, 4 may either be of the same or unequal lengths.Equal lengths are preferred when there is an even number of objects 11in the direction of movement of the carrier plates 3 and the gap to beprovided is required in the middle of such a row of objects 11. Carrierplates of unequal length are preferred where there is an odd number ofobjects 1 1 in a row and the gaps are to be correspondingly provided. Itwould also be possible in this event to use carrier plates 3, 4 of equallength and to direct them in such a way that, when they are in theposition in which they abut against one another at least temporarilythere are unequal lengths projecting beneath the stops A, 5 with whichthey are associated.

Likewise it would be possible to return the transverse ram 2 into itsstarting position directly after it has made a transfer stroke and toprovide a special stop which is movable at the end of the transfertravel, or in pre-selectable coordination with the pallet 7 to beloaded.

In instances where it might be required to provide gaps between theobjects 11 such that the latter are spaced from one another in thedirection of conveyance on the conveyor track 1, further stops 44 may beprovided and be adapted for movement into the path of travel on thistrack 1.

For the purpose of securing certain predetermined types of layout ofobjects the carrier plates 3, 4 may be arranged in such a way that theirmovement is transverse to the direction of thrust of the transverse ram2.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for loading pallets with a plurality of objects in at leastone layer that includes at least two objects adjacent one another in afirst horizontal direction comprising:

means for conveying at least one said object at a time to a transferpoint;

a pallet lifting and lowering device including a pallet support spacedfrom said transfer point in said first horizontal direction, said palletsupport including means for removably supporting a pallet thereon in apredetermined spatial relation, in position to receive objectstransferred thereto;

object carrier means including two individual, upwardly facing supportsurface means, each support surface means having an extensiveness insaid first direction which is sufficiently great as to permit thatsupport surface to support at least one said object;

means for moving the two object carrier support surface means between;

a first position wherein the two object carrier support surface meansare substantially horizontal and coplanar, lie immediately adjacent oneanother in said first direction and are disposed over the palletsupport; and

a second position wherein the carrier support surface means are spacedaway from one another, and each from the first position thereof, in saidfirst direction, by an amount at least equal to the total dimension insaid first direction of the at least two objects which are to be loadedin one layer on a pallet carried by said pallet lifting and loweringdevice support surface means;

transfer means successively engageable with each at least one object atsaid transfer point and retractably movable in such sense as to transferthe particular at least one object at said transfer point, in said firsthorizontal direction directly onto said object carrier means in order toload the object carrier means with a layer that includes at least twoobjects adjacent one another in said first horizontal direction; and

first and second stop means respectively engageable with the foremostand hindmost extremes of the layer of at least two objects adjacent oneanother in said first horizontal direction on said object carrier means;said first and second stop means, while acting, being so disposedrelative to said object carrier means than when the two object carriersupport surface means are retracted to the second position thereof, thelayer of at least two objects adjacent one another in said firsthorizontal direction drops onto said pallet support with the foremostand hindmost extremes thereof maintained by said stop means in auniform, predetermined disposition relative to the pallet support,whereby pallets may be loaded with squared-up foremost and hindmostextreme sides even though the total dimensions of layers of saidarticles in said first horizontal direction may vary from layer tolayer,

the second stop means being engageable with the hindmost extreme of thelayer of at least two objects adjacent one another in said firsthorizontal direction is constituted by surface means on said transfermeans together with means for locking said transfer means in apredetermined spatial relation as said object carrier means supportsurface means are retracted in said first horizontal direction from thefirst position thereof to the second position thereof.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the object carrier means comprisestwo flat plates having said upwardly facing support surface meansthereof as the respective upper surfaces thereof.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the object carrier means plates areof equal length in said first horizontal direction and are symmetricallydisposed relative to the pallet support in the first position of saidcarrier means plates and wherein the means for moving the object carriermeans moves said object carrier plates at substantially equal rates fromthe first position thereof toward the second position thereof.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORREGHON 3,667,628 DatedJune 6', 1972 Patent No.

I Friedrich Gabler and Artur Giordan It is certified that error appearsin the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Title page, designation of inventors, read:

. --[72] Inventors: Friedrich Gabler of Stuttgart-Munster, and ArturGiordan of Stuttgart-Muhlhausen, Germany-- Signed and sealed this 12thday of September 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCIIER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Commissioner of PatentsAttesting Officer uscoMM-Dc 60376-P69 ,5. GOVERNMENT FRINT NG OFFICE:I959 O-355-33l

1. Apparatus for loading pallets with a plurality of objects in at leastone layer that includes at least two objects adjacent one another in afirst horizontal direction comprising: means for conveying at least onesaid object at a time to a transfer point; a pallet lifting and loweringdevice including a pallet support spaced from said transfer point insaid first horizontal direction, said pallet support including means forremovably supporting a pallet thereon in a predeterminEd spatialrelation, in position to receive objects transferred thereto; objectcarrier means including two individual, upwardly facing support surfacemeans, each support surface means having an extensiveness in said firstdirection which is sufficiently great as to permit that support surfaceto support at least one said object; means for moving the two objectcarrier support surface means between; a first position wherein the twoobject carrier support surface means are substantially horizontal andcoplanar, lie immediately adjacent one another in said first directionand are disposed over the pallet support; and a second position whereinthe carrier support surface means are spaced away from one another, andeach from the first position thereof, in said first direction, by anamount at least equal to the total dimension in said first direction ofthe at least two objects which are to be loaded in one layer on a palletcarried by said pallet lifting and lowering device support surfacemeans; transfer means successively engageable with each at least oneobject at said transfer point and retractably movable in such sense asto transfer the particular at least one object at said transfer point,in said first horizontal direction directly onto said object carriermeans in order to load the object carrier means with a layer thatincludes at least two objects adjacent one another in said firsthorizontal direction; and first and second stop means respectivelyengageable with the foremost and hindmost extremes of the layer of atleast two objects adjacent one another in said first horizontaldirection on said object carrier means; said first and second stopmeans, while acting, being so disposed relative to said object carriermeans than when the two object carrier support surface means areretracted to the second position thereof, the layer of at least twoobjects adjacent one another in said first horizontal direction dropsonto said pallet support with the foremost and hindmost extremes thereofmaintained by said stop means in a uniform, predetermined dispositionrelative to the pallet support, whereby pallets may be loaded withsquared-up foremost and hindmost extreme sides even though the totaldimensions of layers of said articles in said first horizontal directionmay vary from layer to layer, the second stop means being engageablewith the hindmost extreme of the layer of at least two objects adjacentone another in said first horizontal direction is constituted by surfacemeans on said transfer means together with means for locking saidtransfer means in a predetermined spatial relation as said objectcarrier means support surface means are retracted in said firsthorizontal direction from the first position thereof to the secondposition thereof.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the object carriermeans comprises two flat plates having said upwardly facing supportsurface means thereof as the respective upper surfaces thereof.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2 wherein the object carrier means plates are ofequal length in said first horizontal direction and are symmetricallydisposed relative to the pallet support in the first position of saidcarrier means plates and wherein the means for moving the object carriermeans moves said object carrier plates at substantially equal rates fromthe first position thereof toward the second position thereof.